Side-by-side · Research reference

IGF-1 LR3vsSelank

Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.

AAnimal-StrongHUMAN-REVIEWED10/58 cited

BHuman-MechanisticAUTO-DRAFTED11/40 cited

IGF-1 LR3

IGF-1 Analogue · Research

3–10×Potency vs IGF-I

Low IGFBPBinding affinity

ResearchStatus

Research only · SQ typical in animal models

Selank

Anxiolytic + Cognitive · Russian Pharma

150–300 mcg/doseIntranasalZaderej 2014

HumanMechanisticZaderej 2014 Medvedev 2007

~30 minOnset

Intranasal · 2–3×/day during stress / cognitive demand

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

IGF-1 LR3

Selank

Primary target

IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R)McTavish 2009

Monoamine system (serotonin / GABA modulation) + immunomodulation via tuftsin domainZaderej 2014

Pathway

IGF-1R → IRS-1 → PI3K/Akt → Cell proliferation, protein synthesis, anti-apoptosisMuhlbradt 2009

Tuftsin-derived immune signaling + CNS monoamine modulation → reduced anxiety + improved mood / cognitionMedvedev 2007

Downstream effect

Enhanced cell proliferation, muscle anabolism, inhibition of apoptosis, increased telomerase activity

Anxiolytic + cognitive enhancement; immunomodulation via increased IL-6 + IFN-γMedvedev 2007 Zaderej 2014

Feedback intact?

No — exogenous IGF analogue bypasses GH-mediated regulation

No GABA-receptor binding; no dependence reportedMedvedev 2007

Origin

Synthetic 83-AA analogue: 13-AA N-terminal extension + Arg substitution at position 3

Synthetic 7-AA peptide derived from human tuftsin (immune-system tetrapeptide)Zaderej 2014

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

IGF-1 LR3

Selank

Research dose (animal models)

Variable by protocol and species

In vivo murine atherosclerosis studies used sustained delivery.

—

In vitro typical concentration

10–1000 ng/mLThomas 2007

Dose-dependent effects on follicle growth and estradiol production.

—

Half-maximal stimulation

0.6 nM LR3 vs 1.5 nM native IGF-1Price 2004

2.5-fold greater potency in lung fibroblast proliferation.

—

Evidence basis

Animal / in vitro only

Human-mechanistic + Russian clinical trialsMedvedev 2007

Human use

Not FDA-approved; no published human trials

—

Standard dose

—

150–300 mcg / dose intranasalZaderej 2014

Frequency

—

2–3× per day during stress

Lower / starter dose

—

75 mcg / dose

Duration

—

10–14 day cycles, repeated as needed

Reconstitution

—

Pre-formulated nasal spray (commercial); research vial: bacteriostatic water

Timing

—

Morning + early afternoon preferred

Half-life

—

Short (minutes plasma); CNS effect lasts ~3 hr

03Metabolic / Fat Loss Evidence

Parameter

IGF-1 LR3

Selank

Mechanism

IGF-1R activation → lipolytic signaling; secondary to anabolic effects

—

Direct lipolytic evidence

Minimal — primarily anabolic/anti-apoptotic in literature

—

Atherosclerotic plaque effects

Reduced stenosis and core size in ApoE-KO micevon 2011

Plaque stabilization via vSMC phenotype modulation, not direct fat loss.

—

Human data

None published

—

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

IGF-1 LR3

Selank

Hypoglycemia risk

Theoretical — IGF-1 analogues can lower blood glucose

—

Excessive cell proliferation

Mitogenic signaling; theoretical tumor promotion risk

—

Telomerase activation

2–10-fold increase in prostate cancer cells (PC-3, DU-145, LAPC-4)Wetterau 2003

Critically involved in cancer cell immortalization.

—

Oocyte degeneration

Increased oocyte degeneration at high doses (≥1000 ng/mL) in bovine folliclesThomas 2007

—

Unregulated anabolism

Bypasses physiological GH/IGF-1 feedback; no pulsatility control

—

Unknown human safety profile

No published human trials; safety data absent

—

Nasal irritation

—

Mild burning or congestion (transient)

Sedation

—

None — distinct from benzodiazepinesMedvedev 2007

Dependence / withdrawal

—

None reported in clinical useZaderej 2014

Cognitive impairment

—

None — opposite effect (enhancement)

Allergic reaction

—

Rare hypersensitivity

Long-term safety

—

Limited Western RCT data

Pregnancy / OB

—

Avoid — insufficient data

Absolute Contraindications

IGF-1 LR3

·Active malignancy or history of cancer
·Not approved for human use

Selank

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Hypersensitivity to peptide

Relative Contraindications

IGF-1 LR3

·Diabetes or glucose intolerance
·Family history of cancer

Selank

·Active autoimmune disease (theoretical via immunomodulation)

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

IGF-1 LR3

Selank

1. Research use only

IGF-1 LR3 is not FDA-approved for human use. All administration data derives from animal or in vitro studies.

Pre-formulated nasal spray (commercial) or research vial reconstituted with bacteriostatic water.

2. Typical research route

Subcutaneous or intraperitoneal injection in animal models. In vitro: added directly to culture medium at concentrations of 10–1000 ng/mL.Thomas 2007

Intranasal — 1–3 sprays per nostril per dose. Tilt head slightly back.

3. Reconstitution (research)

Lyophilised powder reconstituted in sterile water or buffered saline per manufacturer protocol. Store at 2–8 °C after reconstitution.

Morning + early afternoon for cognitive demand; PRN for acute anxiety.

4. Stability

Enhanced stability vs native IGF-1 due to reduced IGFBP binding; exact half-life in vivo not fully characterized in humans.

Refrigerate after reconstitution; ≤30 days. Light-protected.

5. Caveat

—

Avoid co-administration with strong sedatives or other anxiolytics initially.

06Stack Synergy

IGF-1 LR3

+ GHRP-6

Multi-pathway

View GHRP-6 →

GHRP-6 stimulates endogenous GH release, which drives hepatic IGF-1 synthesis. IGF-1 LR3 provides exogenous, IGFBP-resistant IGF signaling. Combining upstream GH stimulation with downstream IGF receptor activation creates a dual-pathway anabolic effect. However, this bypasses natural feedback and carries compounded mitogenic risk.

GHRP-6: 100–200 mcg SQ · 2–3× daily
IGF-1 LR3: Research doses variable · post-workout typical in animal models
Note: Research context only — no human protocols exist
Primary benefit: Theoretical maximal anabolic signaling (GH + IGF axes)

+ Ipamorelin

Multi-pathway

View Ipamorelin →

Ipamorelin (selective GHRP) stimulates pulsatile GH release without cortisol/prolactin elevation. IGF-1 LR3 directly activates IGF-1R independent of GH. This stack targets both upstream (GH secretion) and downstream (IGF receptor) nodes but eliminates physiological feedback, raising safety concerns around unchecked proliferation.

Ipamorelin: 200–300 mcg SQ · evening
IGF-1 LR3: Research doses only · timing variable
Caution: No human data; animal/in vitro only
Primary benefit: Dual-axis anabolic signaling (theoretical)

Selank

— no documented stacks